Charles Chandler, of the Charlotte Observer, reports former Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl TE Wesley Walls was a patient of the South Carolina doctor at the center of a federal steroids investigation, according to an HBO report Friday Aug. 12. The "Costas Now" program did not say whether Walls obtained NFL-banned steroids or related substances from Dr. James Shortt. However, Shortt told interviewer Armen Keteyian that he provided anabolic steroids to about half of the one-to-two dozen NFL players he treated and that he injected human growth hormone (HGH) into most of them. Steroids and HGH are not allowed by the NFL or major pro sports. HGH is difficult to detect because scientists have yet to develop a reliable urine or blood test. Walls, who is retired, did not return telephone messages left Friday by the Observer and declined comment to HBO. He becomes the seventh Panther to be identified as a patient of Shortt. HBO also named ex-Panthers DE John Milem and two players from other teams - ex- New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins OG Dave Fiore and former Atlanta Falcons DE Henry Taylor - as patients of Shortt. Milem, the only player interviewed on the program, said he received HGH and supplements from Shortt. Taylor was quoted as saying he got HGH from Shortt but, in retrospect, said he exhibited poor judgment. Fiore's agent, Arthur Weiss, was quoted as saying Fiore saw Shortt twice to receive medical treatment for joint injuries, but that he never received a banned substance. CBS reported in March that C Jeff Mitchell, P Todd Sauerbrun and OT Todd Steussie filled prescriptions written by Shortt for NFL-banned steroids. Only Mitchell remains with the Panthers. Sauerbrun was traded to the Denver Broncos in May. Steussie plays for Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had free agent TE Wesley Walls (Packers) in town for a visit recently. The Buccaneers, who currently have six tight ends on roster, have not offered a deal to Walls, 38, according to his agent Jimmy Sexton.

Green Bay Packers TE Wesley Walls (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday, Nov. 6, following a day off on Wednesday, Nov. 5, and went through drills without any problems. He is expected to play in Week 10.

Updating previous reports, Dylan B. Tomlinson, of PackersNews.com, reports Green Bay Packers TE Wesley Walls (hamstring) practiced on Saturday, Sept. 27, and should be fine for Monday's, Sept. 29, game against the Chicago Bears. "There have been no setbacks, and no soreness," Walls said. "I'm not 100 percent yet, but I will be by Monday night."

Updating previous reports, Dylan B. Tomlinson, of PackersNews.com, reports Green Bay Packers TE Wesley Walls (hamsting) practiced on Thursday, Sept. 25, and is hopeful of playing Monday, Sept. 29, against the Chicago Bears. "It's 100 percent," Walls said. "But last week, every time I ran, it felt like it was going to snap. It doesn't feel like that anymore. The extra day certainly helps."

Green Bay Packers TE Wesley Walls (hamstring) was held out of the Sunday, Sept. 21, game against the Arizona Cardinals in the hope that his hamstring injury would heal enough so it would not bother him anymore. Walls had been trying to play through it, but kept aggravating it. He may get some days off during the week, but he'll probably play Monday, Sept. 29, against the Chicago Bears.

Green Bay Packers TE Wesley Walls (hamstring) has been going through some practices, but is not 100 percent healthy and the team is concerned about his hamstring injury. He looks fifty-fifty for this weekend's game and will likely be a game time decision.

Green Bay Packers TE Wesley Walls (hamstring) continues to have problems with the hamstring he pulled before the Sept. 7 season opener. Walls did not practice Wednesday, Sept. 17, and might sit out the Sunday, Sept. 21, game against the Arizona Cardinals to allow his injury to fully heal. The coaching staff will have to decide whether they can go with just two tight ends given the heat they'll encounter in Arizona.

Green Bay Packers TE Wesley Walls (hamstring) continues to have problems with the hamstring he pulled before the Sept. 7 season opener. He played Sunday, Sept. 14, against the Detroit Lions, but wasn't very effective. He may need to take a week off.

Updating previous reports, Dylan B. Tomlinson, of PackersNews.com, reports Green Bay Packers TE Wesley Walls (hamstring) said he hopes to return to practice on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and play in the Sunday, Sept. 14 game against the Detroit Lions. "That's what I'm hoping," Walls said. "I wasn't full speed (Sunday) and I'm probably not full speed now. It feels pretty good, but we'll see how it feels when I practice." Walls was inactive for the Sunday, Sept. 7 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Pete Dougherty, of PackersNews.com, reports even though Green Bay Packers TE David Martin (hamstring) has returned from a strained hamstring, he's not at full strength. Packers TE Wesley Walls has replaced him in the two-tight end set. The Packers probably still will want to use Martin in some situations because his speed is almost that of a wide receiver and he can stretch defenses better than Walls and Packers TE Bubba Franks.

Rob Demovsky, of PackersNews.com, reports Green Bay Packers TE Wesley Walls will play in the Saturday, August 9 pre-season game against the Atlanta Falcons, even though he has only three days of practice since signing with the Packers on Tuesday, August 5. Packers head coach Mike Sherman said Walls will see some action, but it will be limited.

Updating previous reports, ESPN.com reports free agent TE Wesley Walls (Panthers) has apparently narrowed his choices down to the Washington Redskins and Green Bay Packers. He is expected to make his decision in the next day or two.

Mark Maske, of the Washington Post, reports the Washington Redskins made a one-year, minimum-salary contract offer to free agent TE Wesley Walls (Panthers) after the free agent worked out Thursday, July 31, at Redskins Park, and should receive an answer on Friday, August 1.

Roy Cummings, of the Tampa Tribune, reports for the Sporting News that if Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Rickey Dudley does not improve his hands and concentration in the red-zone drills during camp, the team may bring in free agent TE Wesley Walls (Panthers). Walls had already worked out for the team recently.

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' front office is split on whether to add free agent TE Wesley Walls to the roster. Walls auditioned for the club this week and some coaches believe it's imperative the team add a veteran at tight end.

Roy Cummings, of the Tampa Tribune, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considering signing free agent TE Wesley Walls (Panthers). "We're looking into his situation carefully. This is a guy who has caught a lot of passes," head coach Jon Gruden said.

Updating earlier stories, the Charlotte Observer reports former Carolina Panthers TE Wesley Walls said he was going to continue to have good relationships with head coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney. "I am a Carolina Panther no matter where I go and what I do. I want to retire as a Panther, but I don't feel like I'm ready to retire," Walls said.

Updating previous stories, Panthers.com reports the Carolina Panthers have released TE Wesley Walls. He spent the last seven years with the Panthers. General Manager Marty Hurney said Walls is expected to explore other options, but may return to the team.

Jenna Fryer reports for the Associated Press Carolina Panthers TE Wesley Walls could be playing his last home game ever as a Panther this weekend. There is a chance he will be released by Carolina in the off-season in a salary-cap move or might even retire. Walls will not discuss the topic. "It's pretty obvious to me the situation it's a reality it probably could be my last home game," said Walls, who will be 37 when training camp begins next season. That was his only comment on the matter. There's a chance Walls (foot) might not even play against the Bears.

Updating previous reports, the Charlotte Observer reports Carolina Panthers TE Wesley Walls (foot) aggravated an injury to the plantar fascia muscle in the arch of his right foot Sunday. “It completely tore, but when it settles down I’ll be fine,” Walls said. “I’ll probably know something Wednesday or Thursday how I really feel.” Walls did say he plans to play in week 16.

Updating previous reports, the Charlotte Observer reports Carolina Panthers TE Wesley Walls (foot) hurt the plantar fascia in his right foot on Thursday. While he will be a game-time decision Sunday, head coach Jon Fox expects him to play.